Monday, March 7, 2016

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Spring 2016 Event Starts March 13 (Calendar of Events, Info, and Tips for Newbies)

It's that time again! The Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Spring 2016 Event begins on March 13 and runs through April 2. The full calendar of events is now available HERE (thanks to everyone who took the time to let me know that this link is now live!). I have also listed and linked to every Beauty Steal below.

Thanks so much to reader Lori on Facebook for kindly sharing these pics of the Ulta mailer that she received this week (if you receive Ulta catalogs in the mail, you should be getting yours soon if you haven't received it already). I would also like to thank readers Marcy, Shelby, Denise, and Lisa for sharing info about this event as well!

If you're new to this event, I will post additional tips and info at the end of this post. But right now, let's take a look at the calendar of events!

image credit: Lori for Nouveau Cheap

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Spring 2016 Beauty Steals Calendar of Events

Shipping info: Currently, Ulta Platinum members will receive free shipping with purchase of any Beauty Steal (listed below). There will also be special Platinum Perk Beauty Steals available to Platinum members throughout this event, so keep an eye on your in-box for those, as Ulta will announce them via email. Shipping for non-Platinum members is currently free at the standard $50+ purchase. However, Ulta has historically lowered that threshold to $25 for one week of this event. I will post here on the blog if/when that happens at any time during this event.Beauty Steals (available for one day only in-store and online unless otherwise noted; Beauty Steals go live on the Ulta site at approximately 10PM PST on the evening prior to the dates listed below):

Free gifts-with-purchase available 3/13 - 4/2 online and in-store unless otherwise noted; while supplies last (IMPORTANT: click links below to view all new arrivals from each brand, including NEW VALUE SETS from LORAC, Urban Decay, and more. ALSO: I'm getting feedback from those of you who are Platinum members that in some instances, you're able to qualify for these freebies even if your purchase is below the required threshold. So keep an eye on your cart if you're a Platinum member!)

If this is your first time shopping the Ulta 21 Days of Beauty Event, here are some tips that may help. I've been covering this event for years now, and I have collected some great tips from many of you (as well as tips that I have learned myself over the years when trying to get these deals) so here you go:

You have to act quickly during this event because the Beauty Steals do sell out in-store (often before noon the day of the event). But the Beauty Steals are also available online and you usually have a bit more time to get them online before they sell out.

Historically, the Beauty Steals have usually gone live on the Ulta website at 10PM PST (on the evening prior to the date of the event).

Be sure to check the Ulta website and weekly ad for additional gift-with-purchase promotions to go along with the daily Beauty Steals (there should be many of them during this event).

For previous 21 Days of Beauty events, Ulta lowered their free shipping threshold to $25+ (instead of the usual $50+) for just one week of the event. They also offered free shipping for Platinum members. So be on the lookout for that in case they do it again this time around.

If you plan to make a purchase in-store, I highly recommend getting to your local Ulta the moment the store opens on the day of that particular event, if you are able to do so. I cannot tell you how many times I have pressed my luck and tried to pick up something during my lunch break, only to find that the item sold out earlier that morning. And be prepared for some craziness. If your Ulta is already a high-traffic store, and you go on the day of one of the more popular Beauty Steals, expect to stand in line for a while. That's why I suggest going as early in the morning as possible, since the crowds and lines will be nowhere near as crazy as lunchtime and after work.

If a Beauty Steal on the calendar of events does not say "online only," then it is available both in-store and online. If you want any of the online-only deals, I would try to log on to the Ulta site as early as possible on the day of that particular Beauty Steal, to ensure that you get it before it sells out.

I hope this helps and again, thanks so very much to reader Lori on Facebook and reader H. for sharing the above images. I truly appreciate it!

Yep, I mentioned that in my weekly makeup sale wrapup yesterday (so jealous since I'm not Platinum!). I don't know of any online only discount codes right now (I checked when I was working on my wrapup yesterday). Sorry! I did last the free gifts with purchase currently at Ulta in my weekly wrap-up yesterday though! :)

Ahhh so excited thank you!! You can also call your ulta store ahead of time to see if they still have the items in stock (they won't be able to hold it but still). Also if the shade you want runs out pick up a different one anyways. As long as its within 30 days (i think) you can exchange that shade for the one you wanted when it comes back in stock EVEN IF the 21 days of beauty are over. One year I REALLY wanted the Too Faced sweet hearts blush (peach beach is the BEST!) but the closest 2 Ultas were out of stock. Even online was out of stock. So I called another store that was 45 minutes away. They said they still had some so I took the chance and drove. I was super bummed out that the peach beach shade was out of stock. Luckily though they still had 2 other shades so I grabed those. Two weeks later when my ulta got more peach beaches in I exchanged the ones I bought. So yeah you won't have to pay the difference or anything if you exchange the same item for a different shade. :)

I got Lights, Camera, Lashes during last year's 21 days of beauty and fell in love. Personally, I think it's more volumizing than lengthening, but that works for me. A fresh tube can apply kind of clumpily, so I wipe off the excess the first few times I use it. Hope this helps - I definitely think it's worth a try for $10! :)

Yes, it is good. It makes my really sparse lashes looks good. Only issue I have is that it smears on me. I need the lights camera flashes, the water proof one. If you don't have trouble with non water proof mascara you'll be fine. Its definitely worth the $10 they charge for it.

I just want to say, you have a great website. Thank you so much for all of the up-to-date info on everything we could need. I can't imagine how much work you must put into this site for it to be so great, all the time. I just want you to know, it's much appreciated! ❤️

I've been lucky so far with past events, nothing was ever sold out, even when I went to the store in the afternoon! The only deal I'd consider this time is the Stila Smudge Stick one, so my wallet is relieved, lol!

Thanks for the reveal! Really appreciate it. I was hoping for other products - like becca items or foundations - not many of the deals in this sale are as enticing to me as last time. Maybe when the circular arrives in the mail I will see other gift with purchase deals that will be more preferred. Relieved wallet here as well.

Your GOING to love it! I had to try it as soon as it came out last year & It's my top! I'm tarte girl 100%! I have sensitive skin,I've been using tarte, now for about 3 1/2 years and the only thing that is perfect for me!

Great! I'm glad to hear that-I have sensitive, oily skin so I hope I don't have trouble with it. I love Tarte too - I just got the new Rainforest of the Sea eyeshadow palette and I can't stop reaching for it!

Does anyone know if we can use the Ulta $3.50 off of $10 with these deals?Also, I was wondering if anyone has any info if Ulta will be doing its 40% off drugstore brands(loreal,nyx,revlon,almay) sale anytime soon, since its been a while. Thanks!

Ulta usually does their big 40% off sales in April, June, and Sept. I obviously can't guarantee that they'll do them during those months THIS year, but that seems to be the pattern based on previous years!

Love your site and all the great information!I know you mentioned in a previous comment that no coupons are accepted but as March is my Birthday month and I just got a $10 gift from Ulta, plus a regular giftcard, do you know if these work for the sale?

In not sure about the $10 gift but gift cards are like money so those should work with the Beauty Steals,since you're not trying to get any type of discount. I'm assuming the birthday gift will work too, since that's like store credit, but you might want to give Ulta a call first, just to confirm.

Nooo! I just bought the Tarte Maracuja Oil during the Beauty Brands 25% off event and I was all smitten with myself for finding it on sale. Now I see Ulta will have it for $25. Well, at least I'll be able to to try out the Smashbox BB Water now.

Thank you for this really informative post and the tips for newbies like me for this event!You mentioned that the beauty steals tend to sell out fast, but does that apply to the free Benefit brow wax? I would assume not since it's not like a product that would have a limited stock like the other beauty steals and is just like an all day offering?